We asked six Arts questions to Richmond’s provincial election candidates.
Please read their answers below, listed in the order they were received, and keep those responses in mind when you are at the polling station.
Has not yet responded:
Michelle Mollineaux (BC Conservative Party)
****
1. Since 2019, BC’s cultural economy has outshone every other province in Canada. It is estimated that the cultural sector adds $8.6 billion to the BC economy, more than the forestry or hotel industries. Do you feel that the arts contribute to our local and provincial economies? How or how not? How could this contribution be increased?
Jackie Lee
Arts and culture are not only vital to our economy, but they also provide British Columbians with a meaningful way to express themselves, share their stories, and celebrate their achievements. BC has produced world-class talents like Emily Carr, Bill Reid, E.J. Hughes, and James Hart. However, our support for talent development and the promotion of BC arts could be significantly stronger. Locally in Richmond, I would champion three key initiatives if elected in the upcoming provincial election:
1) Dedicated Space for Local Artists: Young artists often struggle to find venues to exhibit their work. I would advocate for a dedicated space where local artists can showcase their art. This space would also function as a maker space, fostering collaboration and creativity among artists.
2) Provincial Funding for an Annual Arts and Culture Event: I would seek provincial funding to establish an annual event celebrating BC arts. This could be a local celebration or part of a partnership with international festivals like Art Basel. If Vancouver can host TED Talks, there’s no reason Richmond cannot host an international art event.
3) Promoting Richmond as a Hub for Performance Art: I would work to position Richmond as a hub for performance art, celebrating our talented musicians and actors. This would include investing in mentorship programs and professional services to support emerging talents. We would also leverage our “Hollywood North” status and the networks of BC-born stars like Ryan Reynolds, Seth Rogen, Bryan Adams, and Michael Bublé to connect local talent with global opportunities.
Elodie Vaudandaine (BC Green Party)
The BC Greens platform highlights the importance of building sustainable local economies, and it is essential to note that BC’s arts and culture sector contributes $8.6 billion annually to the provincial economy. This is more than industries such as forestry and hotels. By recognizing the sector’s significant economic impact, we reinforce our commitment to supporting arts and culture as a driver of prosperity, job creation, and vibrant communities
Kelly Greene (BC NDP)
David Eby and the BC NDP are bringing people together to celebrate their communities and love of local arts and culture by providing stable, year-over-year funding for fairs, festivals and events. We will work with artists, communities and artist-led organizations like the BC Coalition for Arts, Culture, and Heritage, to tackle ongoing challenges the sector faces, such as reduced revenue and sponsorships and the rising costs of equipment and services.
A strong arts and culture sector contributes to a sustainable economy by encouraging creativity and innovation across sectors and in our workforce: the sector attracts business investment, increases exports, and directly impacts employment and tourism.
Rustad’s Conservatives don’t believe in the importance arts and culture play in building an inclusive and diverse community. We do, and we will continue to invest tens of millions of dollars to local, regional and Indigenous organizations across the province – many of those connected to the BC Coalition for Arts, Culture, and Heritage – through programs like the Community Grants Fund and the BC Fairs, Festivals and Events fund.
2. If elected, how do you and your party plan to support local artists and cultural organizations?
Jackie Lee
In addition to the three initiatives I outlined, I would work to make provincial funding for arts and cultural organizations more predictable and reliable. Too much time is currently spent navigating complex applications and seeking charitable contributions. The government can help by streamlining the funding allocation process, making it simpler and more efficient. This would allow arts and cultural organizations to focus on what they do best—creating and enriching our communities.
As an MLA, I would also use my network to connect local artists and cultural organizations with new and exciting opportunities. Often, artists and organizations are unaware of available initiatives. By increasing transparency and access to these opportunities, we can provide additional platforms for local talent to connect, develop, and showcase their work.
Elodie Vaudandaine (BC Green Party)
I firmly believe that local cultural venues play a vital role in our communities. Not only do they foster a sense of belonging, but they also help retain youth and ensure everyone feels welcomed.
The BC Greens fully support community-driven initiatives and prioritize investment in arts, culture, and heritage through our Arts, Culture, and Heritage Action Plan. This plan, developed in collaboration with the cultural sector, ensures that local artists and organizations have access to the resources they need to thrive. We are committed to fostering a vibrant cultural landscape that strengthens community ties and provides meaningful opportunities for creative expression.
Kelly Greene (BC NDP)
We will continue to support the heart of communities by investing in the arts and culture activities people here – and visiting here – love most, including helping local community and cultural organizations, by continuing our historic level of support to ensure organizations and associations remain able to deliver programming and events.
We are bringing people together to celebrate their communities and love of local arts and culture by providing stable, year-over-year funding for fairs, festivals and events. We will work with artists, communities and artist-led organizations like the BC Coalition for Arts, Culture, and Heritage, to tackle ongoing challenges the sector faces, such as reduced revenue and sponsorships and the rising costs of equipment and services.
Rustad’s Conservatives don’t believe in the importance arts and culture play in building an inclusive and diverse community. We do, and we will continue to invest tens of millions of dollars to local, regional and Indigenous organizations across the province – many of those connected to the BC Coalition for Arts, Culture, and Heritage – through programs like the Community Grants Fund and the BC Fairs, Festivals and Events fund.
3. Sustainable support to the arts, culture, and heritage sector contributes to a community’s health and well-being. The Province, through the BC Arts Council (BCAC), nurtures and supports arts and cultural activity in communities across BC. In supporting community arts, individual artists, professional performing arts companies, Indigenous artists and cultural organizations, arts galleries, local museums, and festivals, BCAC funding is critical to the sustainability of the cultural sector.
Do you and your party support increasing the annual budget for the BC Arts Council?
Jackie Lee
As I’ve mentioned earlier, I fully support the need for predictable and reliable funding for the arts. Regarding an increase in the annual budget for the BC Arts Council, I believe it’s important to carefully review such decisions with clear outcomes, targets, and milestones in mind. British Columbians trust their government to allocate tax dollars wisely and efficiently.
I would advocate for engaging with artists from diverse communities to understand their specific needs and assess whether the BC Arts Council is effectively meeting them. If it’s evident that certain services require additional funding to address these needs, I would strongly support increasing their budget. However, we must also ensure that spending is efficient. If certain programs are no longer necessary or effective, they should be phased out to prevent waste.
Elodie Vaudandaine (BC Green Party)
I fully support the BC Greens’ commitment to increasing the annual budget for the BC Arts Council. Raising the budget to $55 million per year provides the necessary means to allow local artists, cultural initiatives, museums, and other members of our community to flourish. Such an increase in funding is also a recognition of the repression and theft of indigenous cultural practices brought on by colonialism. The BC government has a responsibility to provide indigenous communities with the resources needed to continue their traditions.
Kelly Greene (BC NDP)
Funding and support for arts and culture has never been as strong or as extensive in BC history. From arts and literature to festivals and museums, we will continue to build a thriving arts and culture sector that keeps our communities vibrant and healthy. We support individuals, artists, volunteers, and organizations who are bringing people together to celebrate their communities, cultures and love of local arts by providing stable, year-over-year funding for fairs, festivals and events.
Rustad’s Conservatives do not share the belief that fully funded programs and institutions benefit communities. Whether it be connecting children and youth with skills and supports to create well rounded students or providing volunteer opportunities for senior citizens to share their rich local heritage, we know that John Rustad and his team will slash budgets and cancel projects. When it comes to giving further tax breaks to their wealthy friends, arts funding will be the first item on the chopping block to stoke that fire.
David Eby and his BC NDP team have not only helped grow arts and culture at home but kept costs down for art students, museum visitors, festival-goers and families participating in arts and culture activities in our home communities.
4. How do you view the importance of arts and music education within the public school system? How would you and your party support school initiatives for arts and music programs including making art supplies and instruments low cost or free? How about field trips or visits by arts practitioners?
Jackie Lee
Every year, many instruments and sports gear go unused as children outgrow them. Rather than letting these items go to waste, I would advocate for a program that allows parents to donate these instruments, with the full value being tax-deductible. This would ensure these items go to children in need, while providing an incentive for families to participate. Additionally, I would support the creation of a government-backed low-interest loan program, enabling music and sports stores to offer affordable rent-to-own options for families.
Regarding public school arts and music programs, I believe in the importance of collaboration between parents, schools, and school boards to determine the best use of available funding. Many talented individuals are passionate about teaching but may not wish to be full-time educators. That’s why I would tie this into the creation of a purpose-built maker space (an initiative I outlined earlier), which would include instruments for young people to explore. This space could also host visiting artists who volunteer their time to offer lessons, easing the financial strain on the public school system while still providing a dedicated environment for young artists to nurture their talents.
Elodie Vaudandaine (BC Green Party)
Strengthening arts and music education in the province is proven to greatly improve students’ mental health and academic success. Yet, art and music programs are often the first on the chopping block when it comes to school budgets. This is why I strongly support increasing funding for programs such as ArtStarts and providing grants to meet school districts’ needs. In this way, we will secure equal opportunities for students from all backgrounds, support mental health and wellbeing, and provide educators with the tools to integrate arts education into classrooms.
Kelly Greene (BC NDP)
Arts and music education are important aspects to a well rounded school experience for students. Schools provide an accessible environment for children and young people to learn and be exposed to musical instruments, dance and other forms of creativity that they might not otherwise have access to.
David Eby and the BC NDP are providing historic support to the education sector by more than doubling funding to school districts and empowering them to prioritize arts and music education. We will continue to fund art and music education to take place outside of the classroom as in the case of many non-profits receiving Community Gaming Grants to fuel their afterschool programs like the Arts Umbrella.
Similarly, we provided $1.4 million to support the After School Sport and Arts Initiative which provides high quality sport, and specifically arts opportunities at no cost and is designed specifically to address financial, cultural and transportation barriers.
For families who need extra help, we’re taking action to cover the costs of school supplies and class trips, as well as sports and music programs by replenishing the Student and Family Affordability Fund this year with an additional $20M. We know that arts and culture funding has never been a priority for John Rustad and will be the first thing cut to pay for the costly tax breaks that will go to his wealthy donors.
5. Richmond needs more purpose-built arts spaces. Richmond-based theatre, opera, choir, orchestra, and music non-profits often need to go into Vancouver or New Westminster to find purpose-built arts venues that are affordable and available. How will your government address this concern?
Jackie Lee
As I’ve mentioned before, I would advocate for the creation of a maker space where local artists can collaborate, learn, and create together. However, I also believe in the importance of specialization. If certain capabilities already exist in Vancouver or New Westminster, replicating these facilities in Richmond should be carefully considered. That said, the government’s role is to improve transit and transportation to make access between municipalities quicker and more efficient.
As MLA, my priority would be to immediately push for the Massey Tunnel replacement project. I would also advocate for enhanced rapid transit infrastructure and services, as well as dedicated lanes for carpooling and car-sharing services. This would make it easier for Richmond-based arts organizations to access existing venues while we explore options to expand local art spaces.
Elodie Vaudandaine (BC Green Party)
The lack of accessibility that we see in Richmond is regrettably constraining opportunities for youth. These issues stem from a general lack of funding for our communities that then disproportionately affects the cultural sector. We need to center cultural activities in the conversation around funding. Reframing the presence of purpose-built arts spaces as not simply an afterthought but rather a necessity to encourage the development of our youth’s potential is crucial in addressing this problem.
Kelly Greene (BC NDP)
David Eby and the BC NDP believe access to new and modern arts institutions should not be restricted to those living in cities and suburbs. We know BC is home to world-renowned artists and organizations that enrich the entirety of our province. That is why we are ensuring organizations across the province, including those in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, can take advantage of our Arts Infrastructure Program to make sure their communities are able to invest and grow their burgeoning art scenes or ensure their young people can develop their creative skills. This program enables organizations to develop and enhance spaces that support the work of BC’s arts and cultural practitioners. Typically, 50% of grants are distributed to organizations from rural or remote communities or those led by or rooted in Indigenous and equity-deserving communities.
6. Richmond is a multicultural city, but many feel there are not enough cross-cultural opportunities to build understanding between communities. What role do you think the arts can play in creating bridges between cultures and what role do you think the Provincial government can play?
Jackie Lee
There’s a natural connection between art, culture, and community, but I believe cross-cultural collaborations should happen organically rather than being forced. Authentic and original arts thrive when they develop naturally, and any attempt to push these collaborations may feel inauthentic. A great example of organic cultural exchange is the annual Chinese night market in Richmond, which draws people together through shared food, culture, and celebration. This is a perfect case of “if you build it, they will come.”
In terms of the government’s role, I think it should focus on providing grants and funding to encourage initiatives that bring communities together. This approach allows for flexibility and creativity. The advantage is that it enables grassroots efforts and supports organic cultural bridges. However, the challenge is ensuring that these opportunities reach diverse communities and don’t unintentionally exclude those with fewer resources or visibility.
Elodie Vaudandaine (BC Green Party)
The arts are a critical vehicle for cultural integration and collaboration. Building cross-cultural understanding takes time, and the BC Greens are dedicated to promoting strong partnerships between communities. It all comes down to focusing on the value of cross-cultural interactions. Through encouraging the planning of more activities, events, and projects, when we include all components of our community, we become stronger and more welcoming to all.
Kelly Greene (BC NDP)
Richmond is a beautiful reflection of BC’s diversity with the sheer number of communities who call it home. The arts and creative spaces can be effective sites of connection across communities by bringing people together over shared interests. We are promoting access to shared public resources including cultural centres which offer families, seniors, and communities low-cost entertainment and places to gather and learn. That is why we are creating a cultural, sports and recreation fund that will help deliver affordable family entertainment and cultural community gatherings and celebrations across the province at a time when families rely on these services more than ever.
We’re not just stopping there because we are also enabling community organizations to deliver cross cultural community programming via the BC Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants. This annual program covers direct costs for projects that help reduce systemic racism and/or promote multiculturalism through education, awareness and interactions. These grants aim to build trust and understanding between diverse cultural communities in British Columbia. With these supports, David Eby is working hard to build a more welcoming and equitable BC for all.
John Rustad and his Conservative Party have demonstrated that a diverse and equitable BC has never been a priority for them and they do not shy away from choosing candidates whose views and speech are offensive and alienate others. We know that Rustad will slash community programs and services to fund the massive tax cuts for his wealthy donors and friends. The first programs on his chopping block that will then fuel those cuts will be programs that support community centres and programming which bring people closer together. Neither people nor communities can afford Rustad’s reckless cuts.
*****
We thank the candidates for their responses.
Other Richmond Riding Responses:
Richmond-Bridgeport
Richmond Centre
Richmond-Queensborough